By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and businessman, Alh. Garba Muhammad Noma has dismissed claims that he endorsed an aspirant from Bauchi local government vying for Bauchi State governorship seat in the 2027 general elections.
Just as he declared that his primary concern is how the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will retain power in the state.
Speaking with journalists at his Ramadan Press Office in Bauchi, Garba Noma, a former speaker Bauchi state House of Assembly during second republic 1983, stated that he had been widely misquoted regarding his alleged endorsement of his kinsman from Bauchi LGA to succeed Senator Bala Muhammad in 2027.
Noma also a former chairman PDP Bauchi clarified: “I was misquoted. I was asked, and I responded that if someone from here is considered the best for the party, I will support him. I don’t have a preferred candidate, but any competent PDP candidate from any part of the state who emerges will have my full support.”
As the Jarman Bauchi Emirate, Garba Noma holds significant influence within and outside the state, making his potential endorsement of any aspirant a critical factor that could shape the party’s unity ahead of the next election.
He further clarified: “I didn’t endorse anyone from Bauchi Local Government. I was misquoted. Someone asked me at a public function about the many aspirants from Bauchi LGA, and I simply said, ‘May God give us the right leader.’ That does not mean I will not support a PDP candidate from another part of Bauchi.”
He added: “I never said aspirants from other parts of Bauchi should be denied the party’s ticket. However, if someone from Bauchi Local Government emerges as the candidate, it is a matter of prayer, and I see nothing wrong in that.”
According to him, “I have always said before the governor and other stakeholders that may God give us the right person to lead the PDP in 2027. I never specified Bauchi Local Government. But would it be wrong if someone from Bauchi LGA emerged as governor?”
He emphasized: “Someone from Bauchi LGA may be the closest person to me, but I can be close to anyone. However, to say that a Bauchi LGA candidate should not emerge would be unfair.”
Garba Noma concluded: “I want peace, and peace starts with my people before extending to others. It is God who chooses leaders, and I have no objection to whoever emerges, provided they are loved by the majority of the people in PDP.”
He than called on journalists to always think twice before sending to the world an information that is not very clear with, and also not to be use as tools to cause confusion.
